I commute a lot in Los Angeles, and I have noticed an intriguing but literally disturbing trend: Mobile epitaphs.
No kidding, these are short dedications to the deceased on the rear windows of my co-commuters.
I have to say, as an observer and writer on emerging media trends, the mere fact of this emerging medium for paying respect does not bother me. If someone can propose over IM or a text message, I see no reason why someone else can’t honor their loved ones on their hatchback, minivan, or SUV.
What I do question is the wisdom of presenting reminders of death to other drivers. Most of the dedications I have seen were, sadly, of people who died young – perhaps early to mid 20’s. One I saw showed someone who must have died as a teenager. I also question whether having a daily reminder of someone’s passing is a good way to deal with the event and move on – usually, you want to find things that don’t remind you of the person who left your life. You wouldn’t have a tombstone in your front yard would you?
I remember I used to get a bit sad when I walked through the University of Oregon campus – which had an old graveyard in the middle – and I would see the children who only lasted a few months back in the 19th century.
If an accident on the side of the road can slow down traffic – even just a car on the side – I wonder if these kind but oddly mobile sentiments have an adverse effect on drivers other than me.
It’s not like I veer off into the shoulder when I see them – but I can’t help but think about who they are. And I don’t think I should be contemplating death while driving.
Technorati Tags: cars, emerging media, epitaph
{ 1 } Comments
Hi Damien,
I noticed these when I moved from Portland OR to Charlotte NC…I figured they were a southern thing, since I had never seen one in all my years in Oregon but encountered probably 10 in my first week in Charlotte.
I must admit that these have never caused me to ponder my own mortality – honestly, I find them tacky. I can’t imagine putting one of these on the back window of my car, no matter who died. Well, maybe if my rich uncle Louie died and left me $150k with the stipulation that I purchase a car with the money…then I could probably see the point.
Another angle to this that I wonder about is if this is some kind of defense mechanism – it’s saying, “look, I’ve got other problems. Take your road rage somewhere else.” Kind of the like the “Baby on Board” stickers are supposed to make other drivers more cautious.
I dunno…maybe these people are just expressing their grief in the only way they know how. I just don’t get the thought process behind it all.
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